Coach takes cautious approach to Pandelela’s knee injury

PANDELELA Rinong’s injury issues have forced coach Yang Zhuliang to
rethink his plans to have the diver compete in three events in next
month’s Asian Games in Incheon.

The Olympic bronze medallist sprained her left knee during training before the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Pandelela will now compete in the 10m platform individual and
synchro with Leong Mun Yee but not the 3m springboard synchro with
Cheong Jun Hoong.

In Glasgow, the 21-year-old was supposed to compete in three events but later skipped the springboard synchro.

Despite not being at her best, Pandelela did well in the
Commonwealth Games by clinching one silver (platform individual) and one
bronze (synchro with Nur Dhabitah Sabri)

“It is risky for Pandelela to bounce off the springboard. She could aggravate her injury,” said Zhuliang recently.

“Pandelela is a special diver and she can raise her performance even
during difficult times. She does not succumb to pressure and dives from
the platform for pleasure.
“I am confident she will make heads turn in Incheon and deliver medals.”

Youth Olympic silver medallist Loh Zhiayi is the other Malaysian diver in the platform individual.
Wendy Ng and Cheong Jun Hoong will compete in the springboard individual and the synchro as a pair.

Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Jun Hoong have been registered for the 1m springboard.
With only three divers in the men’s team, newly crowned Commonwealth
Games champion Ooi Tze Liang will compete in five events at the Asian
Games.

Apart from the 10m platform and the 3m springboard individual, the
Penang-born will also do the 1m springboard individual as well as the
synchro in springboard and in platform.

Tze Liang will partner Ahmad Amsyar Azman in the 3m springboard
synchro and rising star Chew Yiwei in the 10m platform synchro.
Amsyar will also do the 1m and 3m springboard individual.

Tze Liang became Malaysia’s first male champion in diving at the
Commonwealth Games when he won the 3m springboard individual title in
Glasgow.

“We are short of divers in the men’s team so we have no choice but to
register Tze Liang for five events. I believe he has a chance of
getting a few medals depending on his form on competition day.
“Tze Liang has the potential. Unlike some, his focus has not been
affected by success. He wants to be the best in the world,” Zhuliang
added.

In Guangzhou four years ago, Tze Liang took silver with Bryan Nickson
Lomas in the platform synchro but finished sixth in the individual
event.